The Seahawks are entering the 2009 draft from an unfamiliar position. The earliest pick they have owned entering the draft in the last five years is the 23rd selection. They fell from their perch atop the NFC West in 2008, finishing 4-12 and earning the 4th pick in this years draft. Using the picks they have to bolster the roster is imperative if they want to reclaim the division crown from the Arizona Cardinals.Several team needs can be identified when analyzing the Hawk's current roster. Some younger, fresher legs at free safety would be nice to replace Brian Russell, who disappointed in 2008. A left tackle for the future would be great as well considering Walter Jones' age. Another cornerback or pass rusher would help slow down the passing attacks of division rivals like St. Louis and Arizona. Seattle helped fill some of these needs through free agency. They added WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (exciting), DT Colin Cole (exasperating), and re-signed OL Ray Willis (encouraging). This means they should be able to take the best player available rather than reaching for a player to fill a need. Let's go through the picks and look what I feel are some of the best case, worst case, and most likely scenarios to potentially unfold on draft day.
Pick #4
Best Case: I don't see a perfect fit for Seattle at the #4 pick this year, so trading down and adding another pick or two would be fantastic in my opinion. Unfortunately they will probably have trouble finding another team willing to trade up for the pick, as this year's draft appears to be a little thin on talent at the top. I think the pick is Eugene Monroe, the OT from The University of Virginia. He could become the perfect replacement for Big Walt when he decides to hang up his cleats and enter the Hall of Fame. Some might argue that Jason Smith from Baylor has the higher upside, but knowing GM Tim Ruskell's track record of drafting players with tons of experience from proven programs, I would bet on Monroe here. The reputation Virginia has developed as a school that produces good offensive tackles (D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Branden Albert) doesn't hurt either.
Worst Case: The Hawks pick up Chris Wells from Ohio State or some other such nonsense. I don't like picking RBs this early and thankfully I think there is zero chance something like this happens.
Most Likely: Eugene Monroe. He is quite possibly the best fit and should be available.
Other Possibilities: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech or B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Pick #37
There are many more possibilities as we get to this point of the draft, so here is a list of guys I think could be good for Seattle here:
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Max Unger, C/G, Oregon
Alex Mack, C, California
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Patrick Chung, S, Oregon
A lot of these guys are projected first rounders but I think they would all be valuable to Seattle and I am betting that at least one if not several of these guys will be available at pick 37.
Best Case: Alex Mack. I realize Seattle just spent a first rounder on Chris Spencer a few years ago but he has been unimpressive thus far and Mack could be a starter for years at the center position.
Worst Case: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech or Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma. Both of these guys have some red flags that would scare me and hopefully Ruskell as well.
Most likely: Max Unger, C/G, Oregon. Seattle gets another potential starter at C who might not be as good as Mack but could become a starter sooner rather than later.
Pick #68
This post is already really long so I will make this short and sweet. I really think there may be a few safety prospects available here that can step in and take the place of Brian Russell. Michael Hamlin from Clemson and Rashad Johnson from Alabama are possibilities but Hamlin feels like more of a Ruskell guy to me. He was a team leader in college, comes with loads of experience and has a high football IQ. Johnson might be rated a little higher by most teams but he has gotten into trouble off the field on a few occasions and Ruskell has shied away from guys like that in the past.
Other possibilities: Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa, Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn, Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon.
Best Case and Most Likely: Michael Hamlin, S, Clemson
As always thanks for reading everyone and a special thanks to anyone who stuck with me and read this entire thing. Even if you enjoyed reading it I promise you I got more enjoyment out of writing it. Share your thoughts in the comments and be on the lookout for rounds 4-7 in the next couple of days.
